Springboks back Ntlabakanye call-up despite doping probe / Photo: PHILL MAGAKOE - AFP/File
-
EU extends Russia sanction deadline
-
Emmy Awards begin as 'Widow's Bay' and 'The Pitt' vie for top prizes
-
Thai wildlife investigators track traffickers through social media
-
Himalayan glacier study warns of flood and water-supply risks
-
Trump rejects AI slowdown concerns as UN urges coordinated controls
-
Kuwait schools restore classroom routines after remote learning
-
US judge postpones new visa rules for foreign students, journalists
-
US designer Bob Mackie, known for Hollywood glamour, dies at 87
-
Higher wages draw migrant workers to Kashmir despite attacks
-
BIS flags debt and profitability risks in AI-driven market rally
-
Oil supply concerns and AI warnings weigh on global markets
-
Qatar Chamber and Maltese envoy consider business forum
-
'I am the hoax buster': Trump rejects AI danger warnings
-
Spanish PM denies being blackmailed by Morocco
-
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after 'free Palestine' speech
-
Doha Islamic finance forum names AlRayan firms as co-lead partners
-
Trump's son confirms Russian businessman paid for post-wedding festivities
-
Leeds thrash Newcastle to go third in the Premier League
-
Betis beat winless Villarreal to go third
-
Zelensky says Ukraine ready for 'de-escalatory steps'
-
Etihad capacity rises as war disruption weighs on annual earnings
-
In-form Malen fires Roma to Serie A summit, Inter on their heels
-
At G20 summit, US unravels power plant climate rules
-
Lebanese agency reports Israeli shelling and gunfire in south
-
Russian disinformation campaign sets sights on US midterms
-
Expert proposes phased digital reform for Arab business schools
-
England No 8 Pollock could move abroad or switch sports amid contract stand-off
-
Trump rejects 'hoax' warnings that AI could destroy humanity
-
Canada makes pitch as safe place to invest in 'uncertain world'
-
Houthis say Saudi Arabia hits Yemen with 54 strikes after attack on bases
-
In-form Malen fires Roma to Serie A summit
-
Why the far right is losing ground in Sweden
-
IOC visits Lyon amid leadership turmoil for 2030 Winter Olympics
-
Ex-Ireland fly-half O'Gara extends deal as La Rochelle coach
-
New York seizes 12 celeb deep-fake porn sites
-
Russian attacks on Ukraine railways escalating every week: rail CEO to AFP
-
Jesse Eisenberg channels emotional intensity into 'The Debut'
-
France, Iraq deepen energy, defence ties during Zaidi visit
-
Alarm over AI grows as divided US Congress struggles to act
-
Trump says Ukraine, Russia agree not to hit energy targets
-
PopDEX Surpasses $61M TVL and $2B Trading Volume in Closed Beta
-
Nigeria's Dangote refinery launches continent's biggest IPO
-
Oasis announce new 2027 world tour
-
Trump blasts 'sick conspiracy' against AI as warnings mount
-
Women athletes condemn 'sexualised' Sydney Sweeney commercial
-
For Laura Linney, role in Parkinson's-themed movie marked a turning point
-
UN calls for 'urgent action' to rein in AI in face of 'unprecedented risks'
-
Doctors face life sentence over Greek pop star's death
-
Russia intensifies attacks seeking to intimidate Ukraine, Europe
-
Trump moves to axe power plant climate rules
Springboks back Ntlabakanye call-up despite doping probe
South Africa assistant coach Felix Jones said on Monday he backed Asenathi Ntlabakanye after the prop was called up to the squad for the first time since testing positive for a non-performance enhancing substance in August.
The Lions' Ntlabakanye, 26, was ruled out of the Springboks' tour of New Zealand in September after returning an adverse finding and has replaced the injured Ox Nche in the set-up before Saturday's Autumn Nations Series game with France in Paris.
The two-time Test front-rower is eligible to play, with his anti-doping hearing set for December and the 141kg front-rower disputes the alleged violation.
"I'm not going to comment on a case that's ongoing at the moment," Irishman Jones told reporters.
"I'm not sure the world knows about it yet, but his skill set is actually incredibly impressive.
"A very dynamic player, and he can get around for a guy who can handle himself on a scrum or on the ball," he added.
Ntlabakanye will compete with Gerhard Steenekamp and Boan Venter for a place in the Boks teams to face Les Bleus this weekend.
A.Rodriguezv--AMWN
